Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-29
AN EXPOSITION MOVE.
A LETTER FROM PRESIDENTS sTsRKg 10
TIE CITY FINANCE COMMITTEE.
Way Pointed Out in Which Richmond
May Render the Scheme Substantial
and Prsoiical Assistance.

/ III NNt IOiIoNlhp ltttSA 4hi' AshtOh
Starke, president of the State Agricultu-
raj Society, approaches the City Council
for aid in the matter OF securing funds
( to erect n building in which to hold an
( exposition. The city holds the obliga-
/ tions Of the society for n large amoVnt.
/ II the city and the llfe-mombers concur,
all indebtedness and claims will be capi-
talized, and, upon fair estimate of the
valuation Of the socictys property,
I enough additional stock may he disposed
of 80 our public-spirited capitalists to
raise the money needed for building the
exposition ball. The city il not asked TO
surrender Its claim, but TO change its
form
RIcmoyD, Va, December 26, 1887.
ARdrc,C PizeiHj. Esq.
Dear Sir,-The quarterly meeting Of
the Executive Committee of the Vir-
pinia State Agricultural Society, which
occurs January u, 1883, is my apology
lor asking st The hands OF the City
Council OF Richmond the earliest posi-
bic consideration OF the following: !
ask this early attention, because you
viii appreciate how difficult it is TO get
the gentlemen composing the Executive
Committee from the remote portions
of the State together, combined with
the fact that il anything is to be accom-
pished by next fall in the line desired
10 time can be lost. The State Agri-
cultural Society, It's work, the benefits
derived from It's annual calling together
OF great multitude OF people TO our
city, and the greater benefits we, as
city, might enjoy IN the enlargement Of
ITS operations, are all subjects which your
intelligence enables you to appreciate at
a glance.
Eot me say that in thispaper ] am
simply speaking for myself as president
pt the Agricultural Society, and in no
way expressing any sentiment Of the
Executive Committee or OF the society it.
self. Therefore, ] may lie pnrdoned
fora personal allusion so far as to add
that whatever snccess the society may
ENJOY under my administration, l can
be but loser in time, labor, and money.
There are no cmOlumeDts for me per
sonally, save those which must like
wise accrue TO every citizen. in the adj
vancement OF our commercial interests.
The proposition which | desire an
expression from the two branches OF the
City Council upon, prior TO the meeting
Of the Executive Committee OF tue So
ciety oH the 18th proXimo, is simply as
follows:
Tie State Agricultural Society owns
a most desirable and exceedingly valua-
bic property, so located that it must en-
0nce IN value rs rapidly as any pro-
perty IN our midst. Various estimates
have been made upon it by most COM
petent judges Cn the evenI the streets
were extended and ii divided into city
lots, from 1000 to Si25, 600. 1t is
safe 70 say that, with any reasonable ex-
tension of our city, it will he worth more
than the largest value now placed upon
1t in very few years. The only in
cumbrauce upon this property is debt
10 the CITY of Richmond OF $50, 000 upon
which full interest has regularly been
paid. Whether the city really ever con-
temploted having the principal Of this
loan returned leo bot know. However
l propose now TO capitalize the property
OF the society to the extent OF Sl2O, ,UOO,
divided into shares OF $50 each. To
DO so, I must OF course have the consent
OF the city Of Richmond and the society
itself. and a new charter must be OBJ
taincd at the hands of the Legislature
of Virginia. The Council of the city Of
Richmond must agree. in such an event,
to convert the bond Of the society which !
it holds into shares of stock to the
amount named, and to that extent be-
come actual part owner in its property, !
&C. I should wish, however, right re-
served that the society may call in this |
stock after a stated term OF yesrs, by !
paving value for tie same. 1t is con- |
sidemtion of thi proposition, based |
upon the willingn IS of the society to |
concur therein, that ask at your hands |
at the next meeting Of your bodies, so |
that | may have such expression as will |
enable me to prcseu. the matter with /
some assurance from t., Council at the /
approaching meeting e the Executive |
Committee.
knowing the desire Of he Council to
do ANYTHING which viii tend to develop |
the best interests Of the ci;r, lam sure l
may expect your PROMPT md decided
action. Very respectfully
ASHTON STABKE, President
Nfr. Starke is at present out OF the /
city, bat will soon return an give the
Finance Committee, the Council, and I
the public all additional il ormatlon
needed. He has 10 doubt tlrt, with IA
action on the part f the City
Council he can dispose Of sufficient ex-
position stock to raise the required
money.